Australia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s in Groundbreaking Legislation
By Epiphanus Obia
Australia is set to introduce world-leading legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday. The proposed law, aimed at curbing the harmful effects of online content on young people’s mental health, would enforce strict age-verification systems, making it the most stringent regulation of its kind globally.
Announced as part of a sweeping reform package, the legislation will mandate platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) to block underage users using measures such as biometrics or government-issued IDs. Scheduled for introduction in Parliament on November 18, the law would be implemented 12 months after its passage.
The ban, which does not allow parental consent as a bypass, responds to mounting concerns about social media’s role in exposing teenagers to damaging content, particularly on body image and misogyny. “Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said at a press briefing.
The move has sparked debate. While supported by the opposition and hailed as a bold step by advocates for children’s safety, critics, including tech industry group DIGI, argue that the policy risks pushing youth toward unregulated online spaces. “Rather than blocking access through bans, we need a balanced approach,” said DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose.
Australia’s approach sets a new bar in social media regulation, surpassing similar efforts in countries like France and the United States, which allow exemptions with parental consent or focus on younger children. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the proposal, calling it a “truly world-leading” framework for online safety.
The legislation is part of Australia’s broader effort to regulate digital platforms, complementing recent laws targeting online misinformation and harmful content dissemination.
If successful, Australia’s stringent controls could inspire similar regulations worldwide, influencing how societies balance digital freedom with safeguarding youth from online harm.
